Item 1. Business
Item
1. Business
Company
Information
We
were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in February 1994 as Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc., which was a shell
company immediately prior to the completion of a “reverse merger” transaction on May 26, 2015, whereby Ameri100 Acquisition,
Inc., a Delaware corporation and newly created, wholly owned subsidiary, was merged with and into Ameri and Partners Inc. (“Ameri
and Partners”), a Delaware corporation (the “2015 Merger”). In connection with the 2015 Merger, we changed our name
to AMERI Holdings, Inc.
The
Ameri business ceased to be part of the Company on December 30, 2020, pursuant to a spin-off transaction. On December 30, 2020, we completed
a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding common shares of Jay Pharma Inc., a Canada corporation, for shares of Company common
stock or certain preferred stock (the “Offer”), and changed our name to “Enveric Biosciences, Inc.” Our
principal corporate office is located at Enveric Biosciences, Inc., 4851 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 200, Naples,
Florida 34103, telephone (239) 302-1707. Our internet address is https://www.enveric.com/, and
the information included in, or linked to our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have included our website
address in this Annual Report on Form 10-K solely as a textual reference .
On
May 24, 2021, the Company entered into an Amalgamation Agreement (the “Amalgamation Agreement”) with 1306432 B.C. Ltd., a
corporation existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“HoldCo”),
1306436 B.C. Ltd., a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of HoldCo
(“Purchaser”), and MagicMed Industries Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia (“MagicMed”),
pursuant to which, among other things, the Company, indirectly through Purchaser, acquired all of the outstanding securities of MagicMed
in exchange for securities of the Company by way of an amalgamation under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act, upon the terms
and conditions set forth in the Amalgamation Agreement, such that, upon completion of the Amalgamation (as defined herein), the amalgamated
corporation (“Amalco”) will be an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Amalgamation was completed on
September 16, 2021. MagicMed’s principal executive offices are located at 777 Hornby Street, Suite 600, Vancouver, British Columbia,
V6Z 1S and its telephone number is (508) 627-0485.
Business
Overview
We
are an early-development-stage biosciences company developing next-generation mental health and oncology treatments using our clinical
discovery platform to help leverage psychedelic-derived molecules for the mind and synthetic cannabinoids for the body. We seek to improve
the lives of patients suffering from cancer, initially by developing palliative and supportive care products for people suffering from
certain side effects of cancer and cancer treatment such as anxiety, depression, pain, and skin damage from radiation treatment. We currently
intend to offer such palliative and supportive care products in the United States, following approval through established regulatory
pathways.
Amalgamation
Agreement with MagicMed Industries Inc.
On May 24, 2021, the Company
entered into the Amalgamation Agreement with HoldCo, Purchaser, and MagicMed, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company, indirectly
through Purchaser, acquired all of the outstanding securities of MagicMed in exchange for securities of the Company by way of an amalgamation
under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Amalgamation Agreement, such that,
upon completion of the Amalgamation (as defined herein), Amalco will be an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company. The Amalgamation was completed on September 16, 2021.
At
the effective time of the Amalgamation (the “Effective Time”), holders of outstanding common shares of MagicMed (the “MagicMed
Shares”) received such number of shares of common stock of the Company (“Company Shares”) representing, together with
the Company Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and the Converted Options (each as defined herein), approximately 36.6% of
the issued and outstanding Company Shares (on a fully diluted basis). The MagicMed Shares were initially converted into Amalco Redeemable
Preferred Shares (as defined in the Amalgamation Agreement), which immediately following the Amalgamation were redeemed for 0.000001
of a Company Share. Following such redemption, the shareholders of MagicMed received additional Company Shares equal to the product of
the Exchange Ratio (as defined in the Amalgamation Agreement) multiplied by the number of MagicMed Shares held by each such shareholder.
Additionally, following the Effective Time (i) each outstanding MagicMed stock option was converted into and became an option to purchase
(the “Converted Options”) the number of Company Shares equal to the Exchange Ratio multiplied by the number of MagicMed Shares
subject to such MagicMed stock option, and (ii) each holder of an outstanding MagicMed warrant (including Company Broker Warrants (as
defined in the Amalgamation Agreement), the “Warrants”) received upon exercise of such Warrant that number of Company Shares
which the holder would have been entitled to receive as a result of the Amalgamation if, immediately prior to the date of the Amalgamation
(the “Effective Date”), such holder had been the registered holder of the number of MagicMed Shares to which such holder
would have been entitled if such holder had exercised such holder’s Warrants immediately prior to the Effective Time (the foregoing
collectively, the “Amalgamation”). In aggregate, holders of MagicMed Shares received 9,951,217 Company Shares representing
approximately 31.7% of the Company Shares following the consummation of the Amalgamation. The maximum number of Company Shares to be
issued by the Company as in respect of the Warrants and Converted Options shall not exceed 7,404,101 Company Shares.
The
aggregate number of Company Shares that the Company issued in connection with the Amalgamation (collectively, the “Share Consideration”)
was in excess of 20% of the Company’s pre-transaction outstanding Company Shares. Accordingly, the Company sought and received
stockholder approval of the issuance of the Share Consideration in the Amalgamation in accordance with the NASDAQ Listing Rules.
Pursuant
to the terms of the Amalgamation Agreement, the Company appointed, effective as of the Effective Time two individuals selected by MagicMed
to the Company Board of Directors, Dr. Joseph Tucker and Dr. Brad Thompson.
The
Amalgamation Agreement contained representations and warranties, closing deliveries and indemnification provisions customary for a transaction
of this nature. The closing of the Amalgamation was conditioned upon, among other things, (i) the Share Consideration being approved
for listing on Nasdaq, (ii) the effectiveness of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 registering the Share Consideration (the “S-4
Registration Statement”) and (iii) the approval (a) of the MagicMed stockholders of the Amalgamation and (b) of the Company’s
stockholders of each of the Amalgamation and the issuance of the Share Consideration in the Amalgamation. The closing of the Amalgamation
occurred on September 16, 2021.
MagicMed
Industries develops and commercializes psychedelic-derived pharmaceutical candidates. MagicMed’s psychedelic derivatives library,
the Psybrary™, is an essential building block from which industry can develop new patented products. The initial focus of the Psybrary™
is on psilocybin and DMT derivatives, and it is then expected to be expanded to other psychedelics.
Psychedelics
Following
our amalgamation with MagicMed completed in September 2021 (the “Amalgamation”), we have continued to pursue the development
of MagicMed’s proprietary psychedelic derivatives library, the Psybrary™ which we believe will help us to identify
and develop the right drug candidates needed to address mental health challenges, including cancer-related distress. We synthesize novel
versions of classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), mescaline and MDMA, using a mixture of chemistry and
synthetic biology, resulting in the expansion of the Psybrary™, which includes 15 patent families with over a million potential
variations and hundreds of synthesized molecules. Within the Psybrary™ we have three different types of molecules, Generation 1
(classic psychedelics), Generation 2 (pro-drugs), and Generation 3 (new chemical entities). The Company is working to add novel
psychedelic molecular compounds and derivatives (“Psychedelic Derivatives”) on a regular basis through our work at Enveric
Labs in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where we have a team of PhD scientists with expertise in synthetic biology and chemistry. To date we
have created over 500 molecules that are housed in the Psybrary.
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We
screen newly synthesized molecules in the Psybrary™ through PsyAI™, a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) tool. Leveraging
AI systems is expected to reduce the time and cost of pre-clinical, clinical, and commercial development. We believe it streamlines pharmaceutical
design by predicting ideal binding structures of molecules, manufacturing capabilities, and pharmacological effects to help determine
ideal drug candidates, tailored to each indication. Each of these molecules that we believe are patentable can then be further screened
to see how changes to its makeup alter its effects in order to synthesize additional new molecules. New compounds of sufficient purity
are undergoing pharmacological screening, including non-clinical (receptors/cell lines), preclinical (animal), and ultimately clinical
(human) evaluations. We intend to utilize our Psybrary™ and the AI tool to categorize and characterize the Psybrary™ substituents
to focus on bringing more psychedelics-inspired molecules from discovery to the clinical phase.
Cannabinoids
We
are also aiming to advance a pipeline of novel cannabinoid combination therapies for the side effects of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
and radiotherapy.
We
intend to bring together leading oncology clinicians, researchers, academic and industry partners to develop both external proprietary
products and a robust internal pipeline of product candidates aimed at improving quality of life and outcomes for cancer patients. We
intend to evaluate options to out-license our proprietary technology as it moves along the regulatory pathway.
In
developing our product candidates, we intend to focus on cannabinoids derived from non-hemp botanical sources, and synthetic materials
containing no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in order to comply with U.S. federal regulations. Of the potential cannabinoids to be used in
therapeutic formulations, THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive properties of marijuana, can result in undesirable mood effects.
Selected cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) candidates, on the other hand, have amounts of THC well below 0.1% and are not
psychotropic and therefore more attractive candidates for translation into therapeutic practice. Drugs with less than 0.1% THC
have a history, when approved as drugs by FDA, of being able to be rescheduled by DEA from Schedule I to Schedule V, as in the case of
Epidiolex and Marinol. In the future, we may utilize cannabinoids that are derived from cannabis plants, which may contain higher amounts
of THC; however, we only intend to do so in jurisdictions where THC is legal. However, synthetic THC is a Schedule I controlled substance;
so, the use of any APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) containing synthetic THC (or naturally derived THC in concentrations greater
than 0.3%) may increase regulatory scrutiny and require additional expenses and authorizations. All current and future product candidates
that we are developing or may develop will be tested for safety and efficacy under an IND application and subject to the Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”) pre-market approval process for new drugs.
While
we continue to pursue the development of our cannabinoid-based product candidates, our principal focus is on the development of psychedelic-based
treatments.
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Product
Candidates
Our
pipeline of product candidates and key ongoing development programs are shown in the tables below:
Product
Candidate
Targeted
Indications
Partner(s)
Status
Expected
Next Steps
EV104:
CBD + Celecoxib Conjugate
Osteoarthritis
Research
& Development, Lead Optimization
Synthesis
of two molecular conjugates EV104a and EV104b
EVM-101
First-generation
psychedelic asset: psilocybin oral formulation
Cancer
Related Distress (CRD)
Leading
cancer research centers in Canada and US member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
Currently under evaluation;
Research & Development / Discovery
Exploratory
Phase 1/2 trial
EVM-201
Second-generation
psychedelic asset: prodrug of psilocin
Cancer
Related Distress (CRD)
Research
& Development, Lead Optimization
In-vitro
and in-vivo experimentation
EVM-301
Third-generation
psychedelic-inspired new chemical entity
Mental
health indication
Research
& Development, Hit-to-Lead Generation
In-vitro
experimentation
EV102:
Cannabinoid Cream for Topical skin Application
Radiation
Dermatitis (aka radiodermatitis), a radiotherapy-induced skin dermatitis
U.S.-Based
leading cancer center, member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
Research
& Development / IND-enabling studies in planning
IND
submission; Phase 1/2 clinical trial
EV101:
Cannabinoid + Chemotherapy Combination Therapy
Oral
synthetic CBD extract given alone or in combination with clomiphene, concurrently with dose-dense Temolozomide chemotherapy
Glioblastoma
Multiforme
Recurrent
or progressive
Dr.
Tali Siegal,
Rabin
Medical Center, Davidoff Institute of Oncology
Research
& Development / Discovery
Exploratory
Phase 1/2 trial
Intellectual
Property
We
are a party to certain license agreements as described below, and going forward we intend to both develop intellectual property and license
intellectual property from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and research institutions which would cover research stage and
clinical stage assets to build a pipeline of product candidates.
Psychedelics
We
own full rights to 16 patent applications related to psychedelics. Of those, 10 patent applications relate to psilocybin derivatives,
methods of making psilocybin derivatives, and methods for treatment of mental disorders, such as cancer-related distress, PTSD, and other
psychiatric conditions; 1 patent application relates to prodrugs of psilocin; and 5 patent applications related to mescaline derivatives
and methods of using mescaline derivatives. The portfolio includes the following published and unpublished applications:
●
Glycosylated
Psilocybin Derivatives and Methods of Using (WO 2022/040802) : Relates to glycosylated psilocybin derivative compounds that activate
the 5-HT2A cell surface receptor and increase intracellular calcium concentration with a profile different from that of psilocin,
methods for making the compounds, and methods for treating psychiatric disorders.
●
Halogenated
Psilocybin Derivatives and Methods of Using (WO2022047579) Relates to halogenated psilocybin derivative compounds, methods for
making the compounds, and methods for modulating a 5-HT2A cell surface receptor, and methods for treating psychiatric disorders.
●
Hydroxylated
Psilocybin Derivatives and Methods of Using (WO2022047580) Relates to hydroxylated psilocybin derivative compounds, methods for
making the compounds,, and methods for modulating a 5-HT2A cell surface receptor.
●
●
●
●
Nitrated
Psilocybin Derivatives and Methods of Using (WO 2022/047583) : Relates to nitrated psilocybin
compounds, methods for making the compounds, methods for modulating a 5-HT2A cell surface
receptor, and methods for treating psychiatric disorders.
Psilocybin
Derivatives and Methods of Using ( Five PCT Applications, unpublished, and 1 US Provisional Applications, all unpublished):
Each relates to different psilocybin derivative compounds, methods for making the compounds, methods for modulating a 5-HT2A
cell surface receptor, and methods for treating psychiatric disorders.
Prodrugs
for Psilocin and Methods of Using (U.S. Provisional Application, unpublished): Relates to prodrugs for psilocin, and methods
for making the prodrug compounds.
Mescaline
Derivatives and Methods of Using (Five US Provisional Applications, all unpublished): Relates to mescaline derivative compounds,
and methods for making the compounds.
Cannabinoids
We
are a party to certain license agreements as described below, and going forward we intend to both develop intellectual property and license
intellectual property from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and research institutions which would cover research stage and
clinical stage assets to build a pipeline of product candidates.
Tikun
Olam In-License
We
hold limited rights to several plant patent applications as an in-licensee of Tikun Olam.
Tikun
Olam employs evidence-based medicine and other best practices, and its products have been studied in numerous medical trials. Tikun Olam’s
patient databases include 12,000+ persons treated across a variety of conditions, with a primary focus on cancer care.
We
hold limited rights to use the data included in the Tikun Olam patient database.
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Diverse
Biotech, Inc. In-License
We
hold limited rights to patent applications owned by Diverse Biotech, Inc. for the use of cannabinoids with five existing, standard-of-care
drugs via Diverse Biotech’s patent pending conjugate drug delivery platform. Our rights extend to all fields of use. We plan to
engage in targeted research and development to apply such conjugates to alleviate the side effects that cancer patients experience, with
the goal of achieving novel therapeutic outcomes for patients.
The
Diverse Biotech, Inc. patent application portfolio includes two patent applications licensed to us. Those two patent applications disclose
conjugate chemistry that combines cannabinoids with existing drugs in conjugate form that we believe will provide differentiation in
use and efficacy from combination therapy of drugs and cannabinoids. The license extends for as long as Enveric intends to develop and
commercialize the licensed Agents and Products. The patent applications, should they issue, may expire as late as 2040.
Our
Patents and Patent Applications
We
own full rights to several families of patent applications covering the use of CBD in combination with current cancer treatments, both
broadly, as well as for specific cancer types; a portfolio of patent applications directed to formulations including CBD and cannabinoids
for treating the side effects of cancer, including radiodermatitis, pain and other conditions, including the following:
●
Combination
Therapy (US Patent No.11.090,275 and national phase patent filings from WO2017072773 pending in the U.S. and other countries/regions):
Combinations of compositions comprising CBD and therapeutic pharmaceutical cancer agents (ChEH/AEBS inhibitors, naphthoquinone
or derivatives) for the treatment of cancer.
●
Combination
Therapy (EP 18165731.3 and national phase patent filings from WO2019/193112 pending in the U.S. and other countries/regions): Relates
to regimes of drug administration and drug combinations that include a cannabinoid for use in the treatment of breast cancer, including
triple-negative breast cancer.
●
Cannabinoids
in Combination with Chemotherapy (US national phase filing from WO2021/028646): Relates to regimes of drug administration and
cannabinoid administration for treatment of bladder, brain and spinal cord, colorectal, head and neck, lung, lymphoma, neuroendocrine,
esophageal, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.
●
Compositions
for Topical Treatment of Radiation Dermatitis: (US Provisional Applications, unpublished): Relates to novel compositions of topical
formulations including a novel carrier for treatment of radiodermatitis.
●
Compositions
for Topical Treatment of Radiation Dermatitis: (US Provisional Applications, unpublished): Relates to novel compositions of topical
formulations including a complex formula for treatment of radiodermatitis.
●
Cannabinoid
Conjugate Molecules: (Three US Provisional Applications, unpublished): Relates to conjugate molecules of cannabinoids and novel
forms of cannabinoids linked to celecoxib and other COX-2 inhibitors, and methods for making, for treatment of osteoarthritis.
Exclusive
Supply Agreement
On
February 22, 2021, we entered into an exclusive supply agreement (the “Development and Clinical Supply Agreement”) with PureForm
Global, Inc. (“PureForm”), a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of synthesized
CBD and other cannabinoids not derived from hemp or cannabis, for use in development and commercialization of products for cancer supportive/palliative
care associated with radiodermatitis, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, and glioblastoma. Pursuant to the Development and Clinical
Supply Agreement, PureForm will be the exclusive provider of synthetic Cannabidiol (“Synthetic Cannabidiol”) for Enveric’s
development plans for cancer treatment and supportive care. Under the terms of the Development and Clinical Supply Agreement, PureForm
has granted Enveric the exclusive right to purchase Synthetic Cannabidiol and related products for cancer treatment and supporting care.
Research
& Development
In
view of the urgent need for new and more effective mental health and palliative oncology treatments, we intend to combine innovative
scientific discoveries and bio-chemical synthesis, along with accelerated clinical development plans to create, develop and progress
novel therapies using psychedelic-inspired and cannabinoid-based medications and similar compounds. Our current research and development
efforts are focused on developing novel molecules structurally related to certain naturally occurring psychedelics with improved pharmaceutical
characteristics. Some of the naturally occurring psychedelic molecules are currently being investigated by researchers around the world
as potential treatments for a broad range of psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Additionally, we maintain limited activities dedicated
to investigative work surrounding cannabinoids, including creating and developing novel formulations, and evaluating potential opportunities
to license technologies from pharmaceutical companies and leading research institutions.
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Clinical
Studies
We
are currently pursuing drug discovery and pre-clinical activities in order to advance a number of novel psychedelic-inspired molecules
toward development candidate selection, followed by IND-enabling studies and filing of a US-IND application with the aim of initiating
first-in-human studies. The primary indication for our psychedelics program addresses a high unmet need in cancer patients who are afflicted
with Cancer Related Distress (CRD). We intend to assemble a team of principal investigators with clinical experience across multiple
cancer types to be responsible for the management, monitoring, and integrity of the clinical research.
We
plan to submit INDs and, eventually, new drug applications (“NDAs”) to seek FDA approval in connection with the Cancer Related
Distress product candidates. The selection, timing, duration, and design of any prospective studies are subject to approval and finalization.
Scientific
Advisory Board
We
have established a scientific advisory board and plan to seek advice and input from these experienced clinical leaders on matters related
to our research and development programs. The members of our scientific advisory board consist of experts across a range of key disciplines
relevant to our programs. We intend to continue to leverage the broad expertise of our advisors by seeking their counsel on important
topics relating to our product development and clinical development programs.
Our
scientific advisors are not our employees and do have commitments to, or consulting or advisory contracts with, other entities that may
limit their availability to us. In addition, our scientific advisors may have arrangements with other companies to assist those companies
in developing products or technologies that may compete with us. All of our scientific advisors are affiliated with other entities and
devote a limited portion of their time to us.
Enveric’s
current scientific advisors are set forth in the table below:
Name
Title
Specialization
Michael
J. Zelefsky, M.D. (Chair)
Vice
Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Chief, Brachytherapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Clinical
Research
Arash
Asher, M.D.
Director,
Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship, Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center
Physical
Medicine & Rehab
Angus
Dalgleish, M.D.
Professor,
St. George’s University of London
Oncology
Research
James
Perry, M.D.
Neuro-Oncologist,
Sunnybrook Research Institute; Professor, University of Toronto
Clinical
Research
Zvi
Vogel, Ph.D.
Professor,
Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute
Oncology
Research, Patent Contributor
Dallas
Hack, M.D., M.P.H.
Adjunct
Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburg; Associate Clinical Professor at the Department of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University
Clinical
Research
Michael
J. Zelefsky, M.D. has served as a Scientific Advisor of Enveric since April 2019. Dr. Zelefsky, is a board-certified radiation oncologist
and co-leader of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Genitourinary Disease Management Team, a multidisciplinary group of physicians who
work together to treat patients with urologic malignancies. Dr. Zelefsky is Chief of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Brachytherapy Service.
The prostate brachytherapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering, which Dr. Zelefsky helped develop and enhance since joining the staff
in 1990, is known for its depth of experience and cutting-edge approach in treating men with prostate cancer. Dr. Zelefsky was instrumental
in pioneering the use of IMRT (intensity-modulated radiation therapy, which is computer-guided delivery of high doses of radiation directly
to the tumor) and IGRT (image-guided radiotherapy, radiation beams targeted precisely to the tumor) for treating men with prostate cancer.
Dr. Zelefsky is Editor-in-Chief of Brachytherapy, a medical journal that addresses all aspects of this sub-specialty, and Chairman of
the National Patterns of Care Study for Genitourinary Cancers. He is also a past president of the American Brachytherapy Society. For
his work in this field, Dr. Zelefsky has been honored to receive several awards including the Boyer Award for Excellence in Clinical
research, the Outstanding Teaching Award in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering, the 2009 Henschke Medal
(the highest award of the American Brachytherapy Society for achievements in Brachytherapy), and the 2009 Emanuel Van Descheuren Award
for Excellence in Translational Research.
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Arash
Asher, M.D. has served as a Scientific Advisor of Enveric since May 2021. Dr. Asher is a physiatrist and Director of Cancer Survivorship
and Rehabilitation at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center in West-Hollywood, CA. His deep knowledge of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
and clinical and research interests with focus on the rehabilitation of cancer patients to help restore their maximal functional capacity
as well as their quality of life are a key component to bringing safe, effective care to cancer patients who continue to suffer from
their treatment side effects. Dr. Asher has led the development of a number of unique cancer survivorship programs focusing on physical
and psychological resilience. He currently has several active studies reflecting his passion for improving outcomes for cancer patients
and his expertise in pain management, cancer-related fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, neuropathy and the management of musculoskeletal
problems. Dr. Asher’s affiliations with Cedars-Sinai also include serving as Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine
and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Asher completed a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at the UCLA / West Los
Angeles Veterans Affairs program, as well as a cancer rehabilitation fellowship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is board-certified
by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Angus
Dalgleish, M.D. has served as a Scientific Advisor of Enveric since January 2019. Dr. Dalgleish, is an oncologist practicing in the
United Kingdom at St. George’s University of London. Dr. Dalgleish divides his time between clinical practice and research, and
also serves as an advisor to several biopharmaceutical companies. Dr. Dalgleish studied Medicine at University College London, where
he obtained an MBBS and a BSc in Anatomy. He also trained in Internal Medicine and Oncology in Brisbane and Sydney. Following an interest
in how viruses caused cancer, he commenced an MD with Professor Robin Weiss, FRS at the Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden
Hospital. Following five years as a clinical scientist at the MRC’s clinical research center in Northwick Park, he was appointed
to the Foundation Chair in Oncology at St. George’s University of London in 1991. There his main interest has been the immunology
of cancer and the development of immunotherapies to treat, in particular, melanoma. Dr. Dalgleish has been a Professor of Medical Oncology
at St. George’s University of London and Consultant Physician at St. George’s Hospital since 1991. He has served as the President
of the Clinical Immunology and Allergy Section of the Royal Society of Medicine and is a Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians. Dr.
Dalgleish is the author or co-author of peer reviewed scientific papers and over 70 chapters in medical books. He is the co-editor of
five medical books. He has been on numerous grant committees and is currently on the European Commission Cancer Board.
James
Perry, M.D. has served as a Scientific Advisor of Enveric since April 2019. Dr. James Perry is a neuro-oncologist at Sunnybrook’s
Odette Cancer Centre and Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program. Dr. Perry is also a Professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and the
central nervous system cancers lead at Cancer Care Ontario. Dr. Perry is a clinician-investigator interested in the design, conduct and
analysis of clinical trials testing innovative therapies for primary brain tumors. His research unit is focused on outcomes research.
He is the chair of the Canadian Brain Tumor Consortium (CBTC), a national not-for-profit investigator network. He has held leadership
roles in multiple international collaborative clinical trials.
Zvi
Vogel, Ph.D. has served as a Scientific Advisor of Enveric since February 2018. Professor Vogel is currently a Professor Emeritus
at the Weizmann Institute of science serving as the Head of the Adelson Center for the Biology of Addictive Diseases at Tel-Aviv University.
Professor Vogel previously served as the Chairman of the Department of Neurobiology at the Weizmann Institute. He has published more
than 170 scientific manuscripts. Professor Vogel earned an M.Sc. in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science.
He performed his post-doctorate studies at the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD) in the Laboratory of Marshall Nirenberg,
a Nobel Prize winner.
Dallas
Hack, M.D., M.P.H. has served as a Scientific Advisor of Enveric since November 2021. Dr. Hack is an Adjunct Professor
of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh, and an Associate Clinical Professor with the Department of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to entering active service in 1987, when he accepted a position in clinical
research at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Hack, M.D. worked both in General Practice as
well as in several functions in the private biomedical industry. After assignments at Fort Detrick and Fort Knox, he served, amongst
other appointments, as the Command Surgeon for the Central Command-Kuwait from 2001 to 2002 and the Multinational Force Iraq from 2004
to 2005. From 2008 to 2014 he served as the Director of the Combat Casualty Care Research Program in Ft. Detrick, MD, coordinating leading
edge research including a portfolio directed at Traumatic Brain Injury. Dr. Hack has received numerous military awards, including the
Bronze Star and two Legions of Merit.
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Academic
and Industry Partners
We
have also established relationships with certain academic and industry partners, whom we believe have the potential to accelerate product
development, market entry, data collection, analysis and advancement of clinical trials.
Our
current academic and industry partners are set forth in the table below:
Name
Description
Tikun
Olam Ltd.
Tikun
Olam Ltd. brings proprietary products and data, clinical research experience, and access to resources in Israel.
St.
George’s University of London
St.
George’s University of London brings research capabilities and relevant domain expertise in cancer and cannabinoids.
The
Soroka Medical Cancer Center
The
Soroka Medical Cancer Center brings clinical research capabilities and extensive patient access.
The
University of Calgary
The
University of Calgary, through its Hotchkiss Brain Institute, brings excellence into advancing brain and mental health research
and education.
Competition
The
biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by rapidly advancing technologies, intense competition, and a strong emphasis
on proprietary products. While we believe that our scientific knowledge and technology and development experience provide us with competitive
advantages, we face potential competition from many different sources, including major pharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies, academic institutions, governmental agencies, and public and private research institutions. Any product candidates that we
successfully develop and commercialize will compete with existing therapies and new therapies that may become available in the future.
We
intend to focus on the development of novel and viable Psychedelic Derivatives for mental illnesses and unmet medical needs, and partner
with pharmaceutical and other drug development and biotechnology companies in developing and commercializing psychedelic-derived drugs
for diverse psychological and neuropsychiatric indications, of which will be fundamentally composed of the Psychedelic Derivatives contained
in the Psybrary™. While we believe that our technology, knowledge and experience as well as the scientific resources at our disposal
provide us with significant competitive advantages, we face potential competition from many different sources. Any product candidates
we successfully identify will compete not only with existing therapies but also new therapies that may become available in the future.
The
diagnosis of Cancer Related Distress (CRD) has been characterized by neuropsychological (emotional, behavioral and cognitive), social,
spiritual, and physical ailments. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are associated with psychological distress which encompasses
serious consequences that interfere with one’s ability to cope effectively and comply with treatment to ensure optimal outcome.
Such distress extends along a continuum, ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness, and fear to problems that can
become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation, and existential and spiritual crisis.
A
growing awareness and body of literature surrounding CRD came to be defined in recent years; however, no approved treatment is available
and there remains significant unmet need to treat CRD. Addressing CRD is among our goals in developing novel and viable Psychedelic
Derivatives for mental illnesses and unmet medical needs includes.
We
are currently working to advance a pipeline of novel cannabinoid combination therapies for hard-to-treat cancers, including glioblastoma
multiforme (GBM) and several other indications. For the treatment of
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), we believe that only one drug product (Epidiolex, developed by GW Pharmaceuticals) is a potential late-stage
competitor to our GBM product candidate, EV101: Cannabinoid + Chemotherapy Combination Therapy. Other than Epidiolex, we are aware
of exploratory research into the effects of cannabinoid drug formulations. We are also aware of discovery research within the pharmaceutical
industry into synthetic agonists and antagonists of CB1 and CB2 receptors, as well as companies that supply synthetic cannabinoids and
cannabis extracts to researchers for pre-clinical and clinical investigation, and various companies that cultivate cannabis plants with
a view to supplying herbal cannabis or non-pharmaceutical cannabis-based formulations to patients. These therapies have not been approved
by the FDA.
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Patients
suffering from GBM in the U.S. are treated with a variety of FDA-approved products, including, but not limited to, Bevacizumab, Carmustine
Implant, Lomustine, and Temozolomide. Our potential competitors regarding the GBM product candidate include pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical
companies such as Pfizer, Genentech, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, Next Source Pharmaceuticals, and Merck, among others, depending on when the
candidate is approved for commercialization, if ever (and what, if any, new therapies are approved in the interim). Such competitors
may have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting
clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, and marketing approved medicines than we do. These competitors also compete with us
in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel and establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration
for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs.
Our
radiation dermatitis (also referred to as radiodermatitis) product candidate, EV102: Cannabinoid Cream for Topical skin Application,
faces competition from Lutric Pharma, which has a topical B-Raf Inhibitor in Phase 1/2 studies that is intended to treat radiation dermatitis.
With
respect to CBD, a number of non-approved and non-standardized CBD preparations derived from crude herbal cannabis have been made available
in limited quantities by producers of “medical marijuana” in the U.S. We do not believe prescription cannabinoids are the
same as distributing or legalizing crude herbal cannabis, or preparations derived from crude herbal cannabis, and therefore we do not
believe they are competitive with, crude herbal cannabis. We believe that only a cannabinoid medication, one that is standardized in
composition, formulation and dose, administered by means of an appropriate delivery system, and tested in properly controlled pre-clinical
and clinical studies, can meet the standards of regulatory authorities around the world, including those of the FDA. We also believe
that these regulatory processes provide important protections for patients, and that any cannabinoid medication must be subjected to,
and satisfy, such rigorous scrutiny.
Our
commercial opportunities could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize medicines that are safer,
more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient or are less expensive than any product candidates that we
may develop. Our competitors also may obtain approval from the FDA or other regulatory agencies for their medicines more rapidly than
us, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market.
Regarding
our Psybrary™ and the intellectual property kept and developed therein, our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual
property and our ability to achieve and maintain key partnerships aimed at the development, licensing and marketing of Psychedelic Derivatives
without infringing on the proprietary rights of others. Patent positions within the pharmaceutical field can be highly uncertain and
involve complex legal, scientific and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. Patents issued to us
may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented.
Government
Regulation and Product Approvals
Pharmaceutical
companies are subject to extensive regulation by the federal government, principally by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic
Act, or the FDCA, and, to a lesser extent, by state and local governments. Before our prescription products may be marketed in the U.S.,
they must be approved by the FDA for commercial distribution. Certain OTC products must comply with applicable FDA regulations, known
as OTC Monographs, in order to be marketed, but do not have the benefit of FDA review and approval before marketing. We are also subject
to regulation under federal, state and local laws, including requirements regarding occupational safety, laboratory practices, environmental
protection and hazardous substance control, and may be subject to other present and future local, state, federal and foreign regulations.
We cannot predict the extent to which we may be affected by legislative and other regulatory developments concerning our products and
the healthcare industry in general.
The
FDCA and other federal and state statutes and regulations govern the testing, manufacture, quality control, export and import, labeling,
storage, record keeping, approval, pricing, advertising, promotion, sale and distribution of pharmaceutical products. Noncompliance with
applicable requirements both before and after approval, can subject us, our third party manufacturers and other collaborative partners
to administrative and judicial sanctions, such as, among other things, warning letters, fines and other monetary payments, recall or
seizure of products, criminal proceedings, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, interruption or cessation of clinical trials,
total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, limitations on or the limitation of claims we can make for our
products, and refusal of the government to enter into supply contracts for distribution directly by governmental agencies, or delay in
approving or refusal to approve new drug applications. The FDA also has the authority to revoke or withhold approvals of new drug applications.
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FDA
approval is required before any “new drug,” can be marketed. Our products are new drugs and require prior FDA approval. Such
approval must be based on extensive information and data submitted in a NDA, including, but not limited to, adequate and well controlled
laboratory and clinical investigations to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the drug product for its intended use(s) as well
as the manufacturing suitability of the product. In addition to providing required safety and effectiveness data for FDA approval, a
drug manufacturer’s practices and procedures must comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (“cGMPs”), which
apply to manufacturing, receiving, holding and shipping, and include, among other things, demonstration of product purity, consistent
manufacturing and quality and at least six months of data supporting product expiration dating based on clinical registration batches.
Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in all applicable areas relating to quality assurance and regulatory
compliance, including production and quality control to comply with cGMPs. Failure to so comply risks delays in approval of drug products
and possible FDA enforcement actions, such as an injunction against shipment of products, the seizure of non-complying products, criminal
prosecution and/or any of the other possible consequences described above. We are subject to periodic inspection by the FDA and the Drug
Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), which inspections may or may not be announced in advance.
The
intellectual property kept and developed in our Psybrary™ is focused solely on developing and commercializing non-hallucinogenic
synthetic derivatives of psychedelic substances. While we use psychedelic inspired compounds and classic psychedelics as our starting
point for our research and identification of compounds, we do not have any direct or indirect involvement in the illegal selling, production
or distribution of any substances in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Enveric is a neuro-pharmaceutical scientific company and
as such we do not advocate for the legalization of psychedelic substances nor do we deal with psychedelic substances except within laboratory
and clinical trial settings conducted within approved regulatory frameworks. Our products will not be commercialized prior to applicable
regulatory approval and this approval will only be granted if clinical evidence of safety and efficacy for the specific intended use
is successfully developed.
Successful
execution of our strategy is in part contingent upon compliance with regulatory requirements enacted by governmental authorities and
obtaining regulatory approvals for the development and license of its Psychedelic Derivatives. The psychedelic therapy industry is a
new and emerging industry with ambiguous existing regulations and uncertainty as to future regulations; we cannot predict the
impact of the ever-evolving compliance regime in respect of this industry. The impact of compliance regimes, any delays in obtaining,
or failure to obtain regulatory approvals may significantly delay or impact our development of markets, our business,
Psychedelic Derivatives, and licensing initiatives and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and operating results.
FDA
New Drug Approval Process
In
the U.S., pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA,
and other federal and state statutes and regulations, govern, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, storage,
recordkeeping, approval, labeling, promotion and marketing, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling, and import
and export of pharmaceutical products. Failure to comply with applicable U.S. requirements may subject a company to a variety of administrative
or judicial sanctions, such as imposition of clinical holds, FDA refusal to approve pending NDAs, warning letters, product recalls,
product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution,
disgorgement, civil penalties and criminal prosecution.
Pharmaceutical
product development in the U.S. typically involves pre-clinical laboratory and animal tests and the submission to the FDA of an IND,
which must become effective before clinical testing may commence. For commercial approval, the sponsor must submit adequate tests by
all methods reasonably applicable to show that the drug is safe for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended or suggested in
the proposed labeling. The sponsor must also submit substantial evidence, generally consisting of adequate, well-controlled clinical
trials to establish that the drug will have the effect it purports or is represented to have under the conditions of use prescribed,
recommended or suggested in the proposed labeling. In certain cases, the FDA may determine that a drug is effective based on one clinical
study plus confirmatory evidence. Satisfaction of FDA pre-market approval requirements typically takes many years and the actual time
required may vary substantially based upon the type, complexity and novelty of the product or disease.
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Pre-clinical
tests include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry, formulation and toxicity, as well as animal trials to assess the characteristics
and potential safety and efficacy of the product. The conduct of the pre-clinical tests must comply with federal regulations and requirements,
including the FDA’s good laboratory practices regulations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) regulations
implementing the Animal Welfare Act. The results of pre-clinical testing are submitted to the FDA as part of an IND application
along with other information, including information about product chemistry, manufacturing and controls, and a proposed clinical trial
protocol. Long-term pre-clinical tests, such as animal tests of reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity, may continue after the IND
application is submitted.
A
30-day waiting period after the submission of each IND application is required prior to the commencement of clinical testing in
humans. If the FDA has not imposed a clinical hold on the IND application or otherwise commented or questioned the IND application
within this 30-day period, the clinical trial proposed in the IND application may begin.
Clinical
trials involve the administration of the IND to healthy volunteers or patients under the supervision of a qualified investigator. Clinical
trials must be conducted: (i) in compliance with federal regulations, (ii) in compliance with GCP (“Good Clinical Practice”),
an international standard meant to protect the rights and health of patients and to define the roles of clinical trial sponsors, administrators
and monitors, and (iii) under protocols detailing the objectives of the trial, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety and the
effectiveness criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol involving testing on U.S. patients and subsequent protocol amendments must be submitted
to the FDA as part of the IND application.
The
FDA may order the temporary, or permanent, discontinuation of a clinical trial at any time or impose other sanctions if it believes that
the clinical trial either is not being conducted in accordance with FDA requirements or presents an unacceptable risk to the clinical
trial patients. The trial protocol and informed consent information for patients in clinical trials must also be submitted to an institutional
review board, or IRB, for approval. An IRB may also require the clinical trial at the site to be halted, either temporarily or permanently,
for failure to comply with the IRB’s requirements or may impose other conditions.
Clinical
trials to support NDAs for marketing approval are typically conducted in three sequential phases, but the phases may overlap. In general,
in Phase 1, the initial introduction of the drug into healthy human subjects or patients, the drug is tested to assess metabolism, pharmacokinetics,
pharmacological actions, side effects associated with increasing doses and, if possible, early evidence on effectiveness. Phase 2 usually
involves trials in a limited patient population to determine the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication, dosage tolerance
and optimum dosage, and to identify common adverse effects and safety risks.
If
a compound demonstrates evidence of effectiveness and an acceptable safety profile in Phase 2 evaluations, Phase 3 trials are undertaken
to obtain the additional information about clinical efficacy and safety in a larger number of patients, typically at geographically dispersed
clinical trial sites, to permit the FDA to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and to provide adequate information
for the labeling of the drug. In most cases, the FDA requires two adequate and well-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials to demonstrate
the efficacy of the drug. The FDA may, however, determine that a drug is effective based on one clinical study plus confirmatory evidence.
Only a small percentage of investigational drugs complete all three phases and obtain marketing approval. In some cases, the FDA may
require post-market studies, known as Phase 4 studies, to be conducted as a condition of approval in order to gather additional information
on the drug’s effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use. Depending on the risks posed by
the drugs, other post-market requirements may be imposed.
After
completion of the required clinical testing, an NDA is prepared and submitted to the FDA. The FDA approval of the NDA is required before
marketing of the product may begin in the U.S. The NDA must include the results of all pre-clinical, clinical, and other testing and
a compilation of data relating to the product’s pharmacology, chemistry, manufacture, and controls. The cost of preparing and submitting
an NDA is substantial. Under federal law, the submission of most NDAs is additionally subject to a substantial application user fee.
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The
FDA has 60 days from its receipt of an NDA to determine whether the application will be accepted for filing based on the agency’s
threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. Once the submission is accepted for filing, the
FDA begins an in-depth review. Under the statute and implementing regulations, the FDA has 180 days (the initial review cycle) from the
date of filing to issue either an approval letter or a complete response letter, unless the review period is adjusted by mutual agreement
between the FDA and the applicant or as a result of the applicant submitting a major amendment. In practice, the performance goals established
pursuant to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act have effectively extended the initial review cycle beyond 180 days. The FDA’s current
performance goals call for the FDA to complete review of 90 percent of standard (non-priority) NDAs within 10 months of receipt and within
six months for priority NDAs, but two additional months of review are added to standard and priority NDAs for a new molecular
entity (NME).
The
FDA may also refer applications for novel drug products, or drug products that present difficult questions of safety or efficacy, to
an advisory committee, which is typically a panel that includes clinicians and other experts, for review, evaluation and a recommendation
as to whether the application should be approved. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, but it generally
follows such recommendations. Before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance
with GCP. Additionally, the FDA will inspect the facility or the facilities at which the drug is manufactured. The FDA will not approve
the product unless compliance with current GMP is satisfactory and the NDA contains data that provide substantial evidence that the drug
is safe and effective in the indication studied.
After
the FDA evaluates the NDA and the manufacturing facilities, it issues either an approval letter or a complete response letter. A complete
response letter generally outlines the deficiencies in the submission and may require substantial additional testing, or information,
in order for the FDA to reconsider the application. If, or when, those deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction
in a resubmission of the NDA, the FDA will issue an approval letter. The FDA has committed to reviewing 90 percent of resubmissions within
two to six months depending on the type of information included.
An
approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with specific prescribing information for specific indications. As a condition
of NDA approval, the FDA may require a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, to help ensure that the benefits of the drug
outweigh the potential risks. REMS can include medication guides, communication plans for health care professionals, and elements to
assure safe use, or ETASU. ETASU can include, but are not limited to, special training or certification for prescribing or dispensing,
dispensing only under certain circumstances, special monitoring, and the use of patient registries. The requirement for a REMS can materially
affect the potential market and profitability of the drug. Moreover, product approval may require substantial post-approval testing and
surveillance to monitor the drug’s safety or efficacy. Once granted, product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory
standards is not maintained or problems are identified following initial marketing.
Disclosure
of Clinical Trial Information
Sponsors
of clinical trials of certain FDA-regulated products, including prescription drugs, are required to register and disclose certain clinical
trial information on a public website maintained by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Information related to the product, patient
population, phase of investigation, study sites and investigator, and other aspects of the clinical trial is made public as part of the
registration. Sponsors are also obligated to disclose the results of these trials after completion. Disclosure of the results of these
trials can be delayed for up to two years if the sponsor certifies that it is seeking approval of an unapproved product or that it will
file an application for approval of a new indication for an approved product within one year. Competitors may use this publicly available
information to gain knowledge regarding the design and progress of our development programs.
Special
Protocol Assessment
A
company may reach an agreement with the FDA under the Special Protocol Assessment, or “SPA”, process as to the required design
and size of clinical trials intended to form the primary basis of an efficacy claim. According to its performance goals, the FDA is supposed
to evaluate the protocol within 45 days of the request to assess whether the proposed trial is adequate, and that evaluation may result
in discussions and a request for additional information. A SPA request must be made before the proposed trial begins, and all open issues
must be resolved before the trial begins. If a written agreement is reached, it will be documented and made part of the administrative
record. Under the FDCA and FDA guidance implementing the statutory requirement, an SPA is generally binding upon the FDA except in limited
circumstances, such as if the FDA identifies a substantial scientific issue essential to determining safety or efficacy after the study
begins, public health concerns emerge that were unrecognized at the time of the protocol assessment, the sponsor and the FDA agree to
the change in writing, or if the study sponsor fails to follow the protocol that was agreed upon with the FDA.
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Advertising
and Promotion
Pre-approval
promotion of investigational drug candidates is prohibited by the FDA. Therefore, sponsors must ensure that any pre-approval communications
disseminated about its drug candidates do not state or imply that such candidates have been proven safe or effective for the applicable
use(s) or that they have been approved for commercialization in the United States. Further, once an NDA for a given candidate is approved,
if ever, the product will be subject to certain post-approval requirements. For instance, the FDA closely regulates the post-approval
marketing and promotion of drugs.
Drugs
may be marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved labeling. Changes to some of
the conditions established in an approved application, including changes in indications, labeling, or manufacturing processes or facilities,
require submission and FDA approval of a new NDA or NDA supplement before the change can be implemented. An NDA supplement for a new
indication typically requires clinical data similar to that in the original application, and the FDA uses the same procedures and actions
in reviewing NDA supplements as it does in reviewing NDAs.
Adverse
Event Reporting and GMP Compliance
Adverse
event reporting and submission of periodic reports is required following FDA approval of an NDA. The FDA also may require post-marketing
testing, known as Phase 4 testing, may require under a REMS special communication regarding the safety of the drug or heightened surveillance
to monitor the effects of an approved product, or the FDA may place conditions on an approval that could restrict the distribution or
use of the product. In addition, quality-control, drug manufacture, packaging, and labeling procedures must continue to conform to GMP,
after approval. Drug manufacturers and certain of their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and
certain state agencies. Registration with the FDA subjects entities to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA, during which the
agency inspects manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with GMP. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money
and effort in the areas of production and quality control to maintain compliance with GMP. Regulatory authorities may withdraw product
approvals or request product recalls if a company fails to comply with regulatory standards, if it encounters problems following initial
marketing or if previously unrecognized problems are subsequently discovered.
Pediatric
Exclusivity and Pediatric Use
The
Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, or “BPCA”, provides NDA holders a six-month period of exclusivity attached to any
other exclusivity listed with the FDA — patent or non-patent — for a drug, if certain conditions
are met. Conditions for pediatric exclusivity include a determination by the FDA that information relating to the use of a new drug in
the pediatric population may produce health benefits in that population; a written request by the FDA for pediatric studies; and agreement
by the applicant to perform the requested studies and the submission to the FDA, completion of the studies in accordance with the written
request, and the acceptance by the FDA, of the reports of the requested studies within the statutory time frame. Applications under the
BPCA are treated as priority applications.
In
addition, under the Pediatric Research Equity Act, or “PREA”, NDAs or supplements to NDAs must contain data to assess the
safety and effectiveness of the drug for the claimed indications in all relevant pediatric subpopulations and to support dosing and administration
for each pediatric subpopulation for which the drug is safe and effective, unless the sponsor has received a deferral or waiver from
the FDA. Unless otherwise required by regulation, PREA does not apply to any drug for an indication for which orphan designation has
been granted. The sponsor or the FDA may request a deferral of pediatric studies for some or all of the pediatric subpopulations. A deferral
may be granted for several reasons, including a finding that the drug is ready for approval for use in adults before pediatric studies
are complete or that additional safety or effectiveness data need to be collected before the pediatric studies begin. Under PREA, the
FDA must send a noncompliance letter requesting a response within 45 days to any sponsor that fails to submit the required assessment,
keep a deferral current or fails to submit a request for approval of a pediatric formulation.
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Controlled
Substances
The
federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or “CSA”, and its implementing regulations establish a “closed system”
of regulations for controlled substances. The CSA imposes registration, security, recordkeeping and reporting, storage, manufacturing,
distribution, importation and other requirements under the oversight of the Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”). The DEA
is the federal agency responsible for regulating controlled substances, and requires those individuals or entities that manufacture,
import, export, distribute, research, or dispense controlled substances to comply with the regulatory requirements in order to prevent
the diversion of controlled substances to illicit channels of commerce.
The
DEA categorizes controlled substances into one of five schedules — Schedule I, II, III, IV or V — with
varying qualifications for listing in each schedule. Schedule I substances by definition have a high potential for abuse, have no currently
accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S., and lack accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Marijuana is currently a Schedule
I controlled substance, which means that no preclinical or clinical studies of product candidates containing marijuana may be conducted
in the United States without the required DEA registration(s) and related approvals, as applicable. Pharmaceutical products having a
currently accepted medical use that are otherwise approved for marketing may be listed as Schedule II, III, IV or V substances, with
Schedule II substances presenting the highest potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence, and Schedule V substances
presenting the lowest relative potential for abuse and dependence.
Facilities
that manufacture, distribute, import, or export any controlled substance must register annually with the DEA. The DEA registration is
specific to the particular location, activity(ies) and controlled substance schedule(s). For example, separate registrations are required
for importation and manufacturing activities, and each registration authorizes which schedules of controlled substances the registrant
may handle. However, certain coincidental activities are permitted without obtaining a separate DEA registration, such as distribution
of controlled substances by the manufacturer that produces them.
The
DEA inspects all manufacturing facilities to review security, recordkeeping, reporting, and handling prior to issuing a controlled substance
registration. The specific security requirements vary by the type of business activity and the schedule and quantity of controlled substances
handled. The most stringent requirements apply to manufacturers of Schedules I and Schedule II substances. Required security measures
commonly include background checks on employees and physical control of controlled substances through storage in approved vaults, safes
and cages, and through use of alarm systems and surveillance cameras. An application for a manufacturing registration as a bulk manufacturer
(not a dosage form manufacturer or a repacker/relabeler) for a Schedule I or II substance must be published in the Federal Register,
and is open for 60 days to permit interested persons to submit comments, objections or requests for a hearing. A copy of the notice of
the Federal Register publication is simultaneously forwarded by DEA to all those registered, or applicants for registration, as bulk
manufacturers of that substance.
Once
registered, manufacturing facilities must maintain records documenting the manufacture, receipt and distribution of all controlled substances.
Manufacturers must submit periodic reports to the DEA of the distribution of Schedules I and II controlled substances, Schedule III narcotic
substances, and other designated substances. Registrants must also report any controlled substance thefts or significant losses, and
must obtain authorization to destroy or dispose of controlled substances.
As
with applications for registration as a bulk manufacturer, an application for an importer registration for a Schedule I or II substance
must also be published in the Federal Register, which remains open for 30 days for comments. Imports of Schedules I and II controlled
substances for commercial purposes are generally restricted to substances not already available from a domestic supplier or where there
is not adequate competition among domestic suppliers. In addition to an importer or exporter registration, importers and exporters must
obtain a permit for every import or export of a Schedules I and II substance or Schedules III, IV and V narcotic, and submit import or
export declarations for Schedules III, IV and V non-narcotics. In some cases, Schedule III non-narcotic substances may be subject to
the import/export permit requirement, if necessary to ensure that the U.S. complies with its obligations under international drug control
treaties.
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For
drugs manufactured in the U.S., the DEA establishes annually an aggregate quota for the amount of substances within Schedules I and II
that may be manufactured or produced in the U.S. based on the DEA’s estimate of the quantity needed to meet legitimate medical,
scientific, research and industrial needs. This limited aggregate amount of cannabis that the DEA allows to be produced in the U.S. each
year is allocated among individual companies, which, in turn, must annually apply to the DEA for individual manufacturing and procurement
quotas. The quotas apply equally to the manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and production of dosage forms. The DEA
may adjust aggregate production quotas a few times per year, and individual manufacturing or procurement quotas from time to time during
the year, although the DEA has substantial discretion in whether or not to make such adjustments for individual companies.
The
states also maintain separate controlled substance laws and regulations, including licensing, recordkeeping, security, distribution,
and dispensing requirements. State Authorities, including Boards of Pharmacy, regulate use of controlled substances in each state. Failure
to maintain compliance with applicable requirements, particularly as manifested in the loss or diversion of controlled substances, can
result in enforcement action that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition. The DEA may
seek civil penalties, refuse to renew necessary registrations, or initiate proceedings to revoke those registrations. In certain circumstances,
violations could lead to criminal prosecution.
Europe/Rest
of World Government Regulation
In
addition to regulations in the U.S., we are and will be subject, either directly or through our distribution partners, to a variety of
regulations in other jurisdictions governing, among other things, clinical trials and any commercial sales (including pricing and reimbursement)
and distribution of our product candidates, if approved.
Whether
or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain the requisite approvals from regulatory authorities in non-U.S. countries
prior to the commencement of clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries.
In
the European Union, medicinal products are subject to extensive pre- and post-marketing regulation by regulatory authorities at both
the European Union and national levels. Additional rules also apply at the national level to the manufacture, import, export, storage,
distribution and sale of controlled substances. In many European Union member states the regulatory authority responsible for medicinal
products is also responsible for controlled substances. Responsibility is, however, split in some member states. Generally, any company
manufacturing or distributing a medicinal product containing a controlled substance in the European Union will need to hold a controlled
substances license from the competent national authority and will be subject to specific record-keeping and security obligations. Separate
import or export certificates are required for each shipment into or out of the member state.
Clinical
Trials and Marketing Approval
Whether
or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we would need to obtain the necessary approvals by the comparable regulatory authorities
of foreign countries before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. The approval process varies
from country to country and can involve additional product testing and additional administrative review periods. The time required to
obtain approval in other countries might differ from and be longer than that required to obtain FDA approval. Regulatory approval in
one country does not ensure regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may
negatively impact the regulatory process in others.
Certain
countries outside of the U.S. have a process that requires the submission of a clinical trial application much like an IND application
prior to the commencement of human clinical trials. In Europe, for example, a clinical trial application, or “CTA”, must
be submitted to the competent national health authority and to independent ethics committees in each country in which a company intends
to conduct clinical trials. Once the CTA is approved in accordance with a country’s requirements and a company has received favorable
ethics committee approval, clinical trial development may proceed in that country.
The
requirements and process governing the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing, and reimbursement vary from country to
country, even though there is already some degree of legal harmonization in the European Union member states resulting from the national
implementation of underlying European Union legislation. In all cases, the clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with the International
Conference on Harmonization, or “ICH”, guidelines on GCP and other applicable regulatory requirements.
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To
obtain regulatory approval to place a drug on the market in European Union countries, Enveric must submit a marketing authorization application.
This application is similar to the NDA in the U.S., with the exception of, among other things, country-specific document requirements.
All application procedures require an application in the common technical document, or CTD, format, which includes the submission of
detailed information about the manufacturing and quality of the product, and nonclinical and clinical trial information. Drugs can be
authorized in the European Union by using (i) the centralized authorization procedure, (ii) the mutual recognition procedure, (iii) the
decentralized procedure, or (iv) national authorization procedures.
The
European Commission created the centralized procedure for the approval of human drugs to facilitate marketing authorizations that are
valid throughout the European Union and, by extension (after national implementing decisions) in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, which,
together with the European Union Member States, comprise the European Economic Area, or “EEA”. Applicants file marketing
authorization applications with the EMA (European Medicines Agency), where they are reviewed by a relevant scientific committee, in most
cases the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (the “CHMP”). The EMA forwards CHMP opinions to the European Commission,
which uses them as the basis for deciding whether to grant a marketing authorization. This procedure results in a single marketing authorization
granted by the European Commission that is valid across the European Union, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The centralized
procedure is compulsory for human drugs that are: (i) derived from biotechnology processes, such as genetic engineering, (ii) contain
a new active substance indicated for the treatment of certain diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases,
autoimmune and other immune dysfunctions and viral diseases, (iii) officially designated “orphan drugs” (drugs used for rare
human diseases), and (iv) advanced-therapy medicines, such as gene-therapy, somatic cell-therapy or tissue-engineered medicines. The
centralized procedure may at the voluntary request of the applicant also be used for human drugs that do not fall within the above-mentioned
categories if the CHMP agrees that the human drug (a) contains a new active substance not yet approved on November 20, 2005; (b) constitutes
a significant therapeutic, scientific or technical innovation, or (c) authorization under the centralized procedure is in the interests
of patients at the European Union level. Since the U.K. exited the E.U., it no longer falls under these regulations, however, it has
been decided it will follow EMA as it is transitioning to regulations as defined by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA). The MHRA has temporary arrangements in place to partially align with EU regulations around medical technology including
the sale of CE-marked medical devices until June 2023 and approval of EU-authorized medicines using a mutual recognition procedure until
the end of 2023.
Under
the centralized procedure in the European Union, the maximum time frame for the evaluation of a marketing authorization application by
the EMA is 210 days (excluding clock stops, when additional written or oral information is to be provided by the applicant in response
to questions asked by the CHMP), with adoption of the actual marketing authorization by the European Commission thereafter.
Accelerated
evaluation might be granted by the CHMP in exceptional cases, when a medicinal product is expected to be of a major public health interest
from the point of view of therapeutic innovation, defined by three cumulative criteria: the seriousness of the disease to be treated;
the absence of an appropriate alternative therapeutic approach, and anticipation of exceptional high therapeutic benefit. In this circumstance,
EMA ensures that the evaluation for the opinion of the CHMP is completed within 150 days and the opinion issued thereafter.
For
those medicinal products for which the centralized procedure is not available, the applicant must submit marketing authorization applications
to the national medicines regulators through one of three procedures: (i) the mutual recognition procedure (which must be used if the
product has already been authorized in at least one other European Union member state, and in which the European Union member states
are required to grant an authorization recognizing the existing authorization in the other European Union member state, unless they identify
a serious risk to public health), (ii) the decentralized procedure (in which applications are submitted simultaneously in two or more
European Union member states), or (iii) national authorization procedures (which results in a marketing authorization in a single European
Union member state).
Mutual
Recognition Procedure
The
mutual recognition procedure, or “MRP”, for the approval of human drugs is an alternative approach to facilitate individual
national marketing authorizations within the European Union. Fundamentally, the MRP may be applied for all human drugs for which
the centralized procedure is not obligatory. The MRP is applicable to the majority of conventional medicinal products, and must be used
if the product has already been authorized in one or more European Union member states.
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The
MRP functions by building on an already-existing marketing authorization
in a member state of the European Union which is used as a reference in order to obtain marketing authorizations in other European
Union member states. Under the MRP, if a marketing authorization for a drug already exists in one or more member states
of the European Union and subsequently marketing authorization applications are made in other European Union member states by referring
to the initial marketing authorization. The member state in which the marketing authorization was first granted will then act as the
reference member state. The member states where the marketing authorization is subsequently applied for act as concerned member states.
The concerned member states are required to grant an authorization recognizing the existing authorization in the reference member state,
unless they identify a serious risk to public health.
The
MRP is based on the principle of the mutual recognition by European Union member states of their respective national marketing authorizations.
Based on a marketing authorization in the reference member state, the applicant may apply for marketing authorizations in other member
states. In such case, the reference member state shall update its existing assessment report about the drug in 90 days. After the assessment
is completed, copies of the report are sent to all member states, together with the approved summary of product characteristics, labeling
and package leaflet. The concerned member states then have 90 days to recognize the decision of the reference member state and the summary
of product characteristics, labeling and package leaflet. National marketing authorizations shall be granted within 30 days after acknowledgement
of the agreement.
Should
any European Union member state refuse to recognize the marketing authorization by the reference member state, on the grounds
of potential serious risk to public health, the issue will be referred to a coordination group. Within a time frame of 60 days, member
states shall, within the coordination group, make all efforts to reach a consensus. If this fails, the procedure is submitted to an EMA
scientific committee for arbitration. The opinion of this EMA Committee is then forwarded to the European Commission, for the start of
the decision-making process. As in the centralized procedure, this process entails consulting various European Commission Directorates
General and the Standing Committee on Human Medicinal Products.
Data
Exclusivity
In
the European Union, marketing authorization applications for generic medicinal products do not need to include the results of pre-clinical
and clinical trials, but instead can refer to the data included in the marketing authorization of a reference product for which regulatory
data exclusivity has expired. If a marketing authorization is granted for a medicinal product containing a new active substance, that
product benefits from eight years of data exclusivity, during which generic marketing authorization applications referring to the data
of that product may not be accepted by the regulatory authorities, and a further two years of market exclusivity, during which such generic
products may not be placed on the market. The two-year period may be extended to three years if during the first eight years a new therapeutic
indication with significant clinical benefit over existing therapies is approved.
Orphan
Medicinal Products
The
EMA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (“COMP”) may recommend orphan medicinal product designation to promote
the development of products that are intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of life-threatening or chronically debilitating
conditions affecting not more than 5 in 10,000 persons in the European Union. Additionally, designation is granted for products intended
for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening, seriously debilitating or serious and chronic condition and when, without
incentives, it is unlikely that sales of the product in the European Union would be sufficient to justify the necessary investment in
developing the medicinal product. The COMP may only recommend orphan medicinal product designation when the product in question offers
a significant clinical benefit over existing approved products for the relevant indication. Following a positive opinion by the COMP,
the European Commission adopts a decision granting orphan status. The COMP will reassess orphan status in parallel with EMA review of
a marketing authorization application and orphan status may be withdrawn at that stage if it no longer fulfills the orphan criteria (for
instance because in the meantime a new product was approved for the indication and no convincing data are available to demonstrate a
significant benefit over that product). Orphan medicinal product designation entitles a party to financial incentives such as reduction
of fees or fee waivers and ten years of market exclusivity is granted following marketing authorization. During this period, the competent
authorities may not accept or approve any similar medicinal product, unless it offers a significant clinical benefit. This period may
be reduced to six years if the orphan medicinal product designation criteria are no longer met, including where it is shown that the
product is sufficiently profitable not to justify maintenance of market exclusivity.
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Pediatric
Development
In
the European Union, companies developing a new medicinal product must agree to a Pediatric Investigation Plan, or “PIP”,
with the EMA and must conduct pediatric clinical trials in accordance with that PIP unless a waiver applies, for example, because the
relevant disease or condition occurs only in adults. The marketing authorization application for the product must include the results
of pediatric clinical trials conducted in accordance with the PIP, unless a waiver applies, or a deferral has been granted, in which
case the pediatric clinical trials must be completed at a later date. Products that are granted a marketing authorization on the basis
of the pediatric clinical trials conducted in accordance with the PIP are eligible for a six-month extension of the protection under
a supplementary protection certificate (if the product covered by it qualifies for one at the time of approval). This pediatric reward
is subject to specific conditions and is not automatically available when data in compliance with the PIP are developed and submitted.
If
we fail to comply with applicable foreign regulatory requirements, we may be subject to, among other things, fines, suspension
of clinical trials, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions and
criminal prosecution.
In
addition, most countries are parties to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, which governs international trade and domestic
control of narcotic substances, including cannabis extracts. Countries may interpret and implement their treaty obligations in a way
that creates a legal obstacle to us obtaining marketing approval for our product candidates in those countries. These countries may not
be willing or able to amend or otherwise modify their laws and regulations to permit our product candidates to be marketed, or achieving
such amendments to the laws and regulations may take a prolonged period of time. In that case, we would be unable to market our product
candidates in those countries in the near future or perhaps at all.
Employees
We continue to build on our
leadership expertise. We employ 23 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee. We also work with scientific advisors,
consultants and service providers, mainly through academic institutions and contract research organizations.
We
have never had a work stoppage and none of its employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements or represented by a labor union.
We believe that we have good relationships with our employees.
Legal
Proceedings
From
time to time, we may be a party to litigation that arises in the ordinary course of its business. We do not have any pending litigation
that, separately or in the aggregate, would, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on its results of operations,
financial condition or cash flows.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.